Her call to action follows an incident in the beautiful Springfield Park rose garden in which the fountain was daubed with red paint and paint footsteps led across the grass and on to the rim of the ornamental feature.

Mrs Millar told the Herald: "I am distressed and very angry at another attack by vandals on the fabric of the town.

"I know that as far as vandalism goes, this is not a major incident but again I am led to wonder what possible pleasure anyone can get from damaging public property."

She continued: "It is about time that this kind of behaviour was stamped on firmly. Grafitti can be seen all over the town, and it lowers the tone wherever it appears.

"I believe someone has been apprehended for this and, if found guilty, I would hope he or she would be hit hard in the pocket. Over and above that, they should be made to clean up the mess and pictures taken of them doing so and published in the local paper."

Tayside Police have confirmed that a 16-year-old Arbroath male has been arrested and charged with the vandalism. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.